Bhubaneswar, May 5 -- The sand bed of the Mahanadi river at Kakhadi in Athagarh has now become a safe breeding site for the endangered Indian Skimmer known as 'Panichiri' in local parlance.Already 35 eggs of the rare species of birds have been hatched and forest officials are leaving no stones unturned for their safe hatching and protection.

As per forest department officials, the rare Indian Skimmer birds turnup every year for mass nesting and laying eggs under the Khuntuni range. This time around, at least165 Indian Skimmer birds have shown up and are currently laying eggs, reports said.

The Indian Skimmer is only found in India, Pakistan, and Myanmar, informedDr. Biswal Chichilichi, ACF, Athagarh forest division. These birds are foun...